No. 18. CASSIA. 4^5 



^*-'- 



given to it because sent first from Maryland to Eu- 

 rope. 



Cassia is an oriental name, derived from Ketslchy 

 name of the Cassia hs^nea and fistula. The genus 

 belongs to the natural order of Leguminose, section 

 Lomcjitaceous. In thel/mnean system it is placed in 

 Decanpria monogymay although it has only seven 

 fertile stamina. 



This plant blossoms from June \o August j the best 

 time to collect itj is in September, when the pods are 

 ripe ; since they are with the leaves, the ejQ&cient 



parts of the plant. It has been ascertained that this 

 plant is more efficacious than the Senna of Egypt ; it 

 ou^'ht therefore, to supersele it altogether with us, 

 and even to be exported to Europe : but the East In- 

 dia senna is said by Bigelow^ to be a little stronger 

 The Senna of the shops is obtained from different 

 plants, Cassia lanceolata, C. Senna, C. itallcay &c. 

 and even from Cynaiichum ole/olium. 



Locality — Found from Massachusetts to Mis- 

 souri and Georgia, in rich moist and alluvial soils, 

 near streams principally. Very common in the west- 

 ern States. 



QTTA1.ITIES— The taste of the leaves is slightly nau- 

 seous : they have no smell -, they contain resin ex. 

 tractive and a volatile oil. The infusion and decoction 

 have the taste of the plant ; the distilled water is nau- 

 seous ; the tincture is dark brown and rendered tur- 

 bid by water. 



PROPERTIES— All the Sennas are simple ca- 



thartic5, some kinds occasion gripings and yet are rxot 



